Standing splendidly on the shores of the Bay of Bengal, the Konarak Sun Temple in Orissa (east coast of India) is a magnificent piece of art and architecture. Etymologically the word Konârk derives its name from Konârka, the presiding deity of the Sun Temple. Konârka is a combination of two words, kona (corner) and arka (Sun). One of the earliest centres of Sun worship in India, the temple was built in the 13th century under the reign of King Narasingha Deva who lived between 1238-64 AD.
According to legend the temple was constructed by Samba, the son of Lord Krishna. Samba was a handsome young man like his father. But unlike Krishna, Samba was both notorious and obnoxious. According to myth Samba, who bullied people for their looks, encountered Sage Narad who was on his way to meet Lord Vishnu. Samba teased Narad about his physical appearance. An enraged and not so handsome Narad, lost his temper and decided to teach him a lesson. He enticed the arrogant boy to the private bathing chambers of his step-mother, the queen. Many of the gopikas who saw the young man complained to Krishna about the incident. Sage Narad goaded Krishna into punishing the young man. Ignoring the young man’s fervent pleas, Krishna cursed him when he realised that the women in his palace were greatly offended. The curse changed Samba to a leper. Since a curse cannot be revoked, Krishna suggested that Samba pray to the Sun god and bathe in the waters of the Bay of Bengal in Konark. After a severe penance of 12 years, Samba was cured of his illness and decided to erect a temple for Lord Surya on the sacred spot where he was cured. One of the busiest ports of Kalinga during ancient times, Konark was also a world famous sea port where maritime trade flourished in the past.
Of the Kalinga school of architecture, this temple is bathed by the rays of the rising sun at dawn when they fill the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. The temple is a monumental representation of the Sun God or Surya riding his chariot, pulled by a sturdy team of seven heavenly horses.
The temple is built in an east-west direction so as to align itself to the movement of the sun. Set amidst verdant surroundings, the temple is surrounded by luscious groves.
The whole temple is covered with intricate sculptures and a plethora of figurines ranging from musicians, courtesans, soldiers, birds and animals. The second tier of the temple is world renowned for its erotic sculptures which are richly represented in tableau. Historians and archeologists have found this temple to be a rich cultural treasure trove. A UNESCO World Heritage monument, the magnificence of this temple is best captured by Rabindranath Tagore who remarked on his visit to the temple, “Here the language of stone surpasses the language of man!”